Sinn Fein Newry & South Armagh MLA Conor Murphy has called for
the Irish government to keep challenging the rearguard action
being fought by the British Army to block commitments given by
the British government in May this year and last November on
demilitarisation.

Mr Murphy said:

``The issue of British Army Spyposts and increased helicopter and
British Army activity on the ground and demilitarisation need to
be addressed.

``The rearguard action being fought by the British military
establishment also needs be challenged increased British Army
activity, Spy posts and massive military barracks were certainly
not what people on the ground expected after the Hillsborough
initiative in May.

``This line of action does nothing to further the peace process
and only supports the arguments of those who wish to demonstrate
that politics is not able to provide progress. It is time for
Tony Blair to face down the securocrats who are dominating the
demilitarisation debate.

``Mr Blair needs to take heed of what both Bertie Ahern and
ourselves are saying. It is time that the British government
started living up to its' commitments on demilitarisation. It is
also vitally important that the Irish government continue to
challenge the rearguard action being fought buy the Britsih
Army.''